The Kiss of Love

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Song of Solomon 1:2; 8:1-2 (KJV)

2. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

1. O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised.
2. I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

Though Solomon's Song is primarily Hebrew poetical literature praising the love that can exist between a husband and wife, it is also a glorious display of our love relationship with Christ. In 1724 Dr. John Gill, the noted Hebrew scholar and Baptist theologian of his day, preached a series of messages (122 in all) to his congregation in London, England from the Song of Solomon that were later printed. James Hervey said of these sermons "Gill's exposition of the Song of Solomon presents us with such rich and charming displays of the glory of Christ's Person, the freeness of his grace to sinners, and the tenderness of his love to the church, as cannot but administer the most exquisite delight to the believing soul." In this message we will focus on what it means to be in relationship with Christ.

1. My relationship with Christ begins with His love for me . . . Song 1:2
   We would never love Christ if it were not for His love "which is better than wine."
   1. The bride had nothing to offer the King . . . (Song 1:5,8).
      She was not as the "fair maidens." Her skin was dark. She was a slave in the vineyard, held captive by her family. She was despised by the world. So it is with sinners. All of our goodness is like filthy rags before a holy God. Yet . . .
   2. The King came into His vineyard and found His bride . . . (Song 8:11).
      Solomon had leased a vineyard to a family and told them to "care for it." It was in this vineyard that the King came to choose his bride. So it is with Christ who came into the world to "seek and to save the lost." He chose us to be His bride.
2. My relationship with Christ grows as I focus on His love . . . Song 1:2
   The bride in the Song of Solomon is overwhelmed that the king would love her.
   1. She knows the King could have bypassed her . . .
      The old writers understood God's sovereignty -- "Pass Me Not Gentle Savior."
   2. She knows the King had no need of her . . .
      "God is not in need of anything, but all things are in need of God" Aristides.
   3. She knows the King chose to favor her . . .
      " (Thou hast) set me as a seal upon thine heart . . ." (Song 8:6).
   4. She knows the King would always love her . . .
      "Love is as strong as death" (8:6). "Many waters cannot quench love" (8:7). "As God did not at first choose you because you were high, so he will not forsake you because you are low" John Flavel.
3. My relationship with Christ is seen in my love for Him . . . Song 8:1
   This verse is the desire of every true believer in Christ. It is our song of songs.
   1. We embrace Christ though despised by others . . . she was seen kissing the King, and the people scorned. They wouldn't scorn if he were her brother.
   2. We long for and embrace His teaching . . . "thou would instruct me."
   3. We give Him our very best . . . "spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate."